Federal govt urged to declare GB tax-free zone under CPEC

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan lawmakers have urged the federal government to declare GB as a tax-free zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

A resolution was tabled in Gilgit-Baltistan Legislation Assembly in this regard. The resolution was jointly moved by opposition members Kacho Imtiaz Haider and Javed Hussain. The resolution pointed out that Gwadar had been declared tax-free zone under CPEC and GB should also be given the same status so that poor residents of the region could get some financial benefits from the multibillion dollar project.

Taking part in the discussion opposition lawmaker Nawaz Khan Naji said it would be considered discrimination against the GB people by the centre if the region was not declared a tax-free zone.

“When we demand constitutional rights, it is argued that GB is a disputed territory, but if GB is a disputed region than how FBR rules are applicable here,” he questioned.

Planning minister Iqbal Hassan supported the resolution and said as unemployment was peaking in GB it should be declared tax-free zone.

Ruling PML-N lawmaker Ghulam Hussain said the customs checkpost at the Sust dry port should be established in Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.